Veterans Day observance Wednesday

The bronze tableau at the base of the
flagpole at 7th and Watchung commemorates
those who served in World War I.

Plainfield's annual observance of Veteran's Day takes place Wednesday, November 11 at 10:30 AM, beginning on the steps of City Hall.

Join our veterans, friends and neighbors in remembering those who have served their country.

When I was a kid, the day was known as "Armistice Day," named after the armistice -- or cessation of armed conflict -- that concluded World War I. That armistice was agreed between the warring nations to come on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The day is also celebrated in Canada, where it is known as "Remembrance Day".

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Disturbing messages from Councilor Brown in the Cathcart basketball matter

A Facebook post by Councilor Tracey Brown
regarding Lenny Cathcart and the Recreation Division's
basketball program, forwarded to me by a reader.
(Click on image to enlarge or print.)

On Friday, I received two disturbing messages by Plainfield Councilor Tracey Brown concerning the Lenny Cathcart-Rec Division basketball program matter .

Both a post Brown made on Facebook and a text message she sent to Mayor Mapp (which he has given me permission to post) contain statements that are not in accord with the facts.

Was Councilor Brown speaking out without bothering to gather all the facts? Or did she purposely make misstatements to inflame public opinion?

In addition, her text to Mayor Mapp reveals some really unflattering attitudes and behavior for a Council person.

But first, a little background.

THE REC DIVISION AND BASKETBALL

As you will recall, the Recreation Division was found to be a mess when it was taken over by Veronica Taylor as Superintendent in April 2014, which was after the 2013-14 basketball season.

The Rec Division had basically operated without adult supervision ever since its former director resigned in disgrace after being faced with the possibility of having his alleged misconduct referred to the Union County Prosecutor's office.

Taylor found records were missing or not kept at all, programs were favored or punished at the former Superintendent's whim (including a fake ordinance used to justify some policies), facilities had fallen into disrepair, and fiscal affairs in the Division were in complete disarray.

The popular basketball program was not exempt from the mess.

Taylor's first order of business was to bring some order and accountability into the Division's affairs -- including the basketball program.

Coordinators of various programs -- including basketball -- are seasonal employees, as are the coaches. Seasonal employees are not full-time or permanent employees of the city and do not have the status that such employment would give. They are hired on an as-needed basis and the length of employment may not exceed six months. Taylor found abuse of these personnel parameters upon assuming her responsibilities and took steps to put an end to them.

Among issues Taylor discovered in the basketball program were these --

• Lax supervision. The coordinator is expected to put in 15 hours per week with hands-on supervision of the program at the various sites when in session. Out-of-town trips prevented Mr. Cathcart from fulfilling this obligation completely.
  
  
• Failure to file coaching plans as required. The justification for spending taxpayer dollars on the program is predicated on helping youngster progress in their skills at the sport. Coaching plans are an essential component of program accountability to the taxpayers. Throughout the 2014-15 season, Taylor pressed for these. Only two coaches complied.
  
  
• Failure to keep complete attendance records as required. This is really a no-brainer. The city is liable for the safety and well-being of program participants. Accurate and complete records are part of the city's risk management strategy. Nevertheless, Taylor found it impossible to achieve complete compliance by the program in her first season.
  
  
• Fundraising issues. When fundraising is done in support of Recreation Division programs, those doing so are required to provide proof to the Rec Division of their IRS certification as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and that their annual reporting requirements are met and kept current. Taylor was never able to get the necessary certifications from Mr. Cathcart during the 2014-15 season.

At the end of the 2014-15 basketball season, Mr. Cathcart publicly stated to employees in the Rec Division that this was his "last season" and that he would not be returning to the program in the 2015-16 season. I am told he even posted that sentiment to his Facebook page, though such a post seems to have been withdrawn if it was made.

In accordance with Mr. Cathcart's statements, Taylor laid out other plans for the 2015-16 season. Her hiring decisions in the program are based on the individual's experience, interest, performance and her professional evaluation.

As a consequence of Mr. Cathcart's stated decision not to continue with the program, Taylor interviewed replacements. The two coaches who had submitted coaching plans were considered. Both had been recruited by Mr. Cathcart and had served in the program for many years. Taylor felt both were qualified, experienced and familiar with the program and its participating families -- and hired them for the 2015-16 season.

Mr. Cathcart now changed his tune. He was interested, after all. Taylor met with Cathcart on Thursday, November 5, and explained that a hiring decision had already been made for the current season.

She did, however, suggest an alternative. Mr. Cathcart had previously expressed an interest in setting up and coaching a "traveling" basketball team. This would broaden the scope of the program, include more children and allow participation by families that could not afford the expense of an AAU program.

Taylor offered Mr. Cathcart the Recreation Division's support for two years to set up the program, with the proviso that he would provide proof of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to which it could then be spun off.

The city's support for the two years would include stipend support, uniforms, partial underwriting of facility costs, and payment for referees.

Mr. Cathcart asked to think about it overnight, to which Taylor agreed.

In a text message to Taylor sent after hours to her city cellphone, Cathcart declined the offer.

And that is where things stood as of Friday morning, when it became evident that Councilor Brown was chiming in.

COUNCILOR BROWN'S MESSAGES

The first I knew of Councilor Brown's involvement in the issue was the screenshot of a Facebook post she made (see image at beginning of this post) that was forwarded to me by a reader.

Councilor Brown takes up two issues in the post -- the Mapp administration's reaction to the District's withdrawal of support from the long-planned "Youth Summit" (which I wrote about yesterday, see here) and the Cathcart/basketball program matter.

Councilor Brown uses inflammatory language to make her case about Mr. Cathcart's alleged treatment --

• "dismantling" the program. This is patently untrue; in fact, the program has been expanded and its funding increased.
  
  
• "tear programs apart that have proven successful". See my discussion of the issues with the program above.
  
  
• "given a certain individual (a reference to Superintendent Taylor) the control to treat people (Cathcart) with utter disrespect and get away with it." On this, see the history of Taylor and the program above.

But this is not the worst.

Shortly before 3:00 PM, Mayor Adrian Mapp received a text message from Councilor Brown sent in obvious high dudgeon, filled with accusatory language, and preacherly finger-wagging.

Mayor Mapp has forwarded Brown's text message and given me permission to publish it here --

"Hello, Just discovered that you allowed one of the most successful coaches in the history of the Plfd. Rec. to be Fired after election.what a disgrace. I regret the day I talked city council members into voting yes for your appointment of Roni Taylor. She is the biggest disappointment to this city and the youth of this city since, well anyway. I have the gift of discernment, you allow her to treat people with total disrespect. She can smile and do evil to people that you approve. What a mistake I made. Because you have made her the untouchable golden child it will backfire, trust me. God will not allow evil to win. You said some horrible things about Bill in planning ,but when the people who support you disapproved you changed your mind and inconsiderately left council hanging. Well people who support Mr. Cathcart will also speak out, but they live on the other side of the tracks so I am sure their opinion does not faze you. I have set back an observed what I thought was corruption in your admin., always knew you were going to bless your supporters and family., but this is truly the straw. I do have the gift of discernment and instead of trying to get and prove your man made power, you need to ask  God to search your heart. Not looking for a response. What a disgrace."

Note again the inflammatory language --

• Cathcart has been "fired" -- which is not at all the case; he removed himself from consideration.
  
  
• Mapp has made Taylor "the untouchable golden child".
  
  
• "God will not allow evil to win" -- Since Brown has apparently done no factfinding in the matter, what "evil" is she referring to?

There are more questions about this intemperate text message that cry for answers. I will take them up tomorrow.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Is Councilor Brown telling the truth about the cancelled Youth Summit?

A reader forwarded me a screenshot of a Facebook post
by Councilor Tracey Brown made late Friday or early Saturday.

Sometime late Thursday or early Friday, Plainfield City Council member Tracey Brown posted the above to Facebook. The screen shot was forwarded to me by a reader.

Brown's assertion that the long-planned Youth Summit was "postponed" by Superintendent of Schools Anna Belin Pyles does not square with the report I was given (and posted about on Election Day, see here) that the school district's participation in the Youth Summit was withdrawn without explanation on the preceding day.

It was not within the Superintendent's prerogative to "postpone" the event, since the City is the party responsible for organizing (and funding) it.

The withdrawal of support for the Youth Summit meant that the City was left to a) find another venue on short notice, b) publicize same, and c) mobilize students to attend on another date.

It is the Superintendent (or the BOE president, who may have wanted the event cancelled) who has embarrassed herself by sacrificing the students' best interests for a momentary gain.

The notice above appeared in Mayor Mapp's
Friday email newsletter to residents.

Mayor Mapp has announced the Youth Summit's rescheduling (see above).

Would Brown's mischaracterization of the Youth Summit issue to put the District in a better light have anything to do with persistent rumors that she intends to run for mayor next go-round?

The questions on my mind are these: If Councilor Brown has already met with the Campbells to explore a run for the mayor's seat in 2017 as is rumored --

• Why has she not told us she met with John and Wilma Campbell to discuss a run for the mayor's office? and
  
  
• Will she abandon the Democratic party and run as a Republican?

I'm sure we'll be hearing more on this matter.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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YMCA proposal raises questions at Planning Board

The Plainfield YMCA is seeking to convert 60 SRO units
into 30 studio apartments for young people aging out of foster care.

The Plainfield YMCA's proposal to replace its 60 SRO (single room occupancy) units with 30 studio apartments for foster children aging out of foster care was taken up by the Planning Board last night, under the leadership of chair Ron Scott Bey.

YMCA President and CEO Ravenell Williams appeared with attorney Larry Vastola, who led a bevy of professionals in presenting the project to the board and answering questions.

Though an entirely friendly meeting, the board heard testimony and asked questions for more than two hours -- leading one of the applicant's team members to praise the Plainfield board for the tone of its meeting and the quality of its questions.

In the end, the board unanimously approved the plan.

At one point in the presentation there was a slight wrinkle that caused me to think about the Planning Board process in general.

After discussing parking, trees, lighting and fencing, the focus shifted to the interior of the building.

The architect explained the reconfiguration of the existing rooms into studio apartments with the addition of some new construction, including apartments, an elevator, corridors and an access ramp on the 6th Street side of the building.

A simple question, though, on square footage of the new units led to the most tangled part of the evening's presentation.

Someone simply asked what the range in square footage was for the studio apartments. The architect explained that there were different sizes in part because the approval granted by the Historic Preservation Commission was predicated upon no alterations being made to the building's facade -- including existing window placement.

In any event, the architect gave a minimum (393 sq. ft.) and a maximum (443 sq. ft.) figure -- which turned out to be inaccurate.

This got board members poring over their drawings and led to a discussion not only of that question, but of the regulations concerning minimum sizes for such apartments.

The architect was unprepared, but perhaps for good reason. If this were a commercial project and rents or sales prices were dependent upon the square footage of the units, you can bet your buppie there would have been a chart or table presented. Since this is not a commercial project, such a provision may not have occurred to the presenting team.

The more serious discovery was that the designers had used a standard (the International Building Code) without reference to Plainfield's own regulations -- which, according to Planning Director Bill Nierstedt, are different.

The International Building Code (IBC) developed when three regional code development organizations in the US decided to develop a unitary code. That project got under way in 1994, and its most recent edition is dated 2015. Most land use and construction in the United States is now covered by that code -- which is the one used by the architects in preparing the YMCA project.

So, here are the questions that came to mind --

1. At what point in the application process should the question of which code governs Plainfield projects have come up? And by whom should it have been brought up -- Plainfield planning officials? or the applicant's team?
   
   
2. Secondly, if the IBC has become the national standard, why has Plainfield not aligned itself with this standard to avoid having this problem crop up at all?

Mayor Mapp has made it a point that he would like to see our planning and zoning processes be more "business friendly".

This sometimes causes anxiety in people's minds because of the fear that it means throwing regulations out altogether and giving in to developers willy-nilly.

However, experiences like last evening's show that there are issues that need to be addressed here in Plainfield that could in fact make the process more applicant-friendly and smoother, the IBC being just one example.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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November 9 Council meeting rescheduled

 

According to a notice issued by the City Clerk's office on Thursday, the Plainfield City Council meeting slated for Monday, November 9, has been rescheduled.

Council will hold the doubleheader agenda-and-business session as a SPECIAL MEETING on Monday, November 23, at 7:00 PM in the Courthouse / Council Chambers, Watchung Avenue at East 4th Street.

No reason has been given for the change in date, except that we do know the intervening week is the annual League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City, at which many Council and Administration members are expected to be in attendance.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Thoughts on Plainfield politics, with a 'Thank You' to Jerry Green

Jerry Green has taught us that Plainfield politics
is a kick-ass sport. Thank you, Jerry!

A Plainfield Today reader thanked me at Tuesday's victory celebration for exposing moves by the Campbells that she felt led to the defeat of Baby John for Council and to Emily Morgan's victory in the Board of Ed race.

A nice compliment, but the truth is that it was Plainfield voters that saw through the shenanigans that were going on and decided with their votes how they felt Plainfield should move ahead.

As the late mayor Al McWilliams always used to say, "Plainfielders are passionate about their community."

And I am passionate too, and believe it is important to play a role as a participant, and not just as an impartial observer. Which, of course, leads me to take positions on issues of concern to the community.

And some would say, use sharp elbows at critical moments, especially during election campaigns. So be it.

I might say I owe it all to Jerry Green.

It was Jerry who taught me just how much of a contact sport Plainfield politics is -- rougher than rugby, I would say -- and that Plainfield politics is not for sissies.

Though the days of Jerry's favorite tool of the anonymous flyer under windshield wipers at City Hall and church parking lots may be past, it can still get rough out there. And now we have the Internet and social media.

The second thing I want to thank Jerry for is what some folks refer to as his "ABCs of politics", which is usually translated as "Always Be Conniving".

I would be more charitable and say "Always Be Considering...next steps".

And that is what Plainfield Democrats now must do.

The media have pointed out that the next two years will be "political doozies" in New Jersey, what with a presidential election in 2016 and the governor's race in 2017.

They will be doozies in Plainfield too. With the Ward 3 and citywide at-large seats up next year, it is within the realm of possibility that Mayor Mapp will at last have a Council that will unite behind his leadership to move Plainfield forward.

And, as this year's Council races have shown, the Campbell clan will have to be taken into account.

Seniors were outraged yesterday when Mayor Mapp explained to them the impact of the school district's pulling its support of the citywide "Youth Summit" slated for next Friday. This affects the future of their grandchildren and they were not happy with this Campbell-inspired move.

You might say the gauntlet has been thrown down.

On to the next chapter of Plainfield politics!

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Storch, Goode, Morgan coast to victory despite Election Day wrangles

Successful candidates address volunteers at
Plainfield Democratic headquarters,
(l. to r.) Cory Storch, Emily Morgan, Barry Goode, Mayor Adrian Mapp.

Plainfield voters overwhelmingly elected Democrats Cory Storch and Barry Goode to the City Council, and Emily Morgan to the Board of Education.

The results came in to Plainfield Dem headquarters at 617 Park Avenue quickly after the polls closed at 8:00 PM.

Here are the unofficial tallies --

WARD 2
Storch	909
Campbell	558
WARDS 1/4
Goode	993
Ortega	310
BOARD OF ED
Morgan	1,696
Campbell	1,711
Wyatt	1,528
Coley	1,197

The results represent a further strengthening of the position of Mayor Adrian O. Mapp.

In the Board of Ed race, where Morgan faced a slate organized by John Campbell Sr., she polled the second highest number of votes -- separated from the top vote-getter by only fifteen votes. Incumbent Jackie Coley lost her seat as a result.

Election Day was relatively quiet, except for wrangling at several sites as school district maintenance crews moved -- or attempted to move -- campaign signs from the public spaces in front of school polling places.

This is the first time ever that anyone can recall such action. Councilor Storch reported an incident at Cook School shortly after 8:00 AM. Mayor Mapp was involved in trying to resolve a similar situation at Cedarbook School in mid-afternoon.

A worker at Clinton School reported that when Superintendent Anna Belin Pyles brought the issue up, she was referred to City Clerk "AJ" Jalloh, who is Plainfield's chief election officer.

In every previous election, candidate signs of whatever affiliation have alsways been found in the grassy area between the curb and the sidewalk in front of school buildings -- as long as they are at least the minimum distance away from the entrance as prescribed by law.

This is the first time anyone can recall the placement of signs being mde an issue at so many locations.

Coincidentally, the husband of the Board of Ed president  was one of the BOE candidates and her son was running for a Council seat as an independent. Coincidentally, of course.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Campbells sacrifice students for campaign revenge

The Campbells have cancelled Board of Ed
participation in the upcoming Youth Summit,
punishing the young people.

 

Retribution by the Campbells for the embarrassment of having to cancel Baby John's campaign event slated for Plainfield public school property this past Sunday was swift, sure and misplaced.

Mayor Mapp was informed Monday that the Board of Education was withdrawing its support of the the "Youth Summit on Education and Employment" slated for Plainfield High School on November 13.

No explanation was given, but it is not hard to surmise that the Campbells (Wilma, who is Board of Ed president and husband John, a BOE member) were getting their revenge over the embarrassing incident with their son John's council campaign event.

This is punishing the kids as proxies in a dispute of which they are not even a part. And damaging their futures in the bargain.

This kill-the-hostages mentality is a sign of what we get with a Campbell-controlled school system.

Superintendent Anna Belin Pyles, by all accounts a decent person, must dance to the tune called by the Campbells.

Keep this in mind as you go to the polls today, and the next time you hear the Campbells justify some action by saying "it's for the children".

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Vote today

 

Plainfield polls are open for the November general election today.

I hope you will vote for Cory Storch for Council if you live in Ward 2, and Barry Goode for Council if you live in Wards 1 or 4. They are both on Row B.

And Emily Morgan for Board of Education, who is candidate number 3.

Polls are open until 8:00 PM.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Fate of man found on railroad embankment unknown

 

Plainfield police and emergency workers were summoned to revive a man found along the railroad embankment behind North Avenue stores near Park Avenue on Monday afternoon about 4:00 PM.

The man had been spotted earlier in the day with two other men who were not present when emergency workers were summoned.

Store owners report that efforts to revive the man were apparently unsuccessful.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Last minute Plainfield political intrigue

Hand-lettered sign at Leland Park advises
Campbell campaign event is "Post Poned".

 

As Plainfield rolls up to Tuesday's general election, here's a report on last minute political intrigue in the Queen City --

CAMPBELL EVENT PONED

As you can see from the reader's photo at the top of the story, Baby John Campbell's campaign event slated for Sunday afternoon on school district property (Leland Park) was "poned".

It seems to be a new verb, but it's fine with me. Post poned. Pre poned. Corn poned. It's all good news.

Perhaps because of my blog post (here)? Or Mayor Mapp's strong response to the news (here)?

Or maybe because common sense prevailed?

Read on.

HUSH-HUSH BOARD OF ED MEETING

So, Saturday morning there was a hush-hush Board of Ed meeting.

What was discussed? The Campbell campaign event? Don't know.

Was it properly noticed and open to the public? Don't know.

Is it suspicious?

What do you think?

JERRY GREEN HEADQUARTERS

So, Assemblyman Jerry Green opened his "Democratic Headquarters" in the old bank building at Park and North Avenue that he used in last spring's failed primary contest.

Despite the Plainfield Dem Committee having a city headquarters at 617 Park Avenue.

And who is spotted hanging around Green's headquarters?

"Independent" candidate Norman Ortega and Robinson-Briggs buddy Carmen Salavarrieta.

There have been persistent rumors that Ortega and Campbell's campaigns have a Green-ish tinge.

Suspicions confirmed?

RICHMOND TOWERS CANDIDATE FORUM

Meanwhile, another Green operative, Hattie Williams, organized a candidate forum at Richmond Towers for Wards 1/4 candidates Democrat Barry Goode and "independent" Norman Ortega.

A longtime Green wardheeler, Williams has been seen in the past advising residents how to vote on election day (and even going in the booth with some of them!).

Despite this type of shenanigans, Goode won the Richmond Towers vote fair and square in June's primary.

However, Williams, who is a Dem city committee member and technically owes her allegiance to the party chair -- Adrian Mapp -- all but openly endorsed Ortega at the forum.

Why am I not surprised?

STORCH AND GOODE FOR COUNCIL

It will come as no surprise that I am urging support for Cory Storch in Ward 2 and Barry Good in Wards 1/4. (Living in Ward 3, I can't vote for either one.)

It's time for us to get Plainfield moving ahead. That means breaking the hold of the obstructionists on the City Council.

Which is where you come in if you are a voter in those wards.

The polls are open tomorrow, Tuesday November 3, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Cast your vote for Plainfield's future.

Cast your vote for Cory Storch and Barry Goode, Column B.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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NJ Transit Watchung Avenue bridge replacement under way

Works began on replacing the temporary Watchung Avenue
railroad bridge Friday evening...

... by first ripping out the westbound tracks.

By Saturday morning, crews were lining up the
new permanent bays.

The new bays were constructed on Gavett Place
and trucked into position over the weekend,
for which North Avenue is closed to through traffic.

 

 

Working continuously since Friday night, NJ Transit crews have been ripping out the temporary bridge over the Plainfield station's Watchung Avenue crossing and replacing it with the new bays constructed on Gavett Place over the past few months.

Crews ripped out the westbound side during Friday evening and then the eastbound side after the last train left for Newark (shortly after these pictures were taken).

By the time I came back on Saturday morning, they had moved two of the bays from Gavett Place to Watchung Avenue and were locking them in place.

The historic end caps were restored at another shop and will be place on the facing ends of the crossing to complete the job.

Over the weekend buses ferry passengers between the Plainfield and Netherwood stations to complete their east- or westbound trips.

The work is expected to be complected by Sunday night and through service will begin with the first train on Monday morning.

Congratulations to the NJ Transit crews and engineers for this painstakingly complicated project.

Work will now begin on the same process for the Park Avenue project.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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